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Influence of Man-Made Plantation on Soil Properties Under Hot and Humid Climate

Harshita Singh, S.C. Tiwari2

Abstract



Restoring soil quality on degraded lands is crucial for achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 15.3, which emphasizes land degradation neutrality. This study evaluates the impact of various vegetation restoration projects on soil properties in the Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh, Central India, where Acacia nilotica, Eucalyptus hybrid, Tectona grandis, and Mixed Forest plantations were established in 1993. Over 30 years, these plantations have influenced soil characteristics such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and various micronutrients. Soil pH ranged from 5.53 to 7.44, with Tectona grandis showing the highest pH and Eucalyptus the lowest. EC values were highest under Tectona grandis (0.43 dSm-1) and lowest in Eucalyptus (0.13 dSm-1). SOC percentages varied, with Acacia nilotica having the highest at 0.57%, while Eucalyptus had the lowest at 0.14%. Nitrogen content was highest in the Mixed Forest (226.89 kg ha-1) and lowest in Eucalyptus (147.89 kg ha-1). Phosphorus availability was greatest in the Mixed Forest (20 kg ha-1), and potassium levels were highest in Acacia nilotica (416.11 kg ha-1). Iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) concentrations also differed among the plantations, with Mixed Forest generally showing higher levels of Mn and Zn. Sulfur content varied minimally across plantations. These findings demonstrate that the type of vegetation significantly affects soil properties, with Mixed Forest generally showing better soil quality indicators. This suggests that the choice of vegetation in restoration projects can have substantial impacts on soil health and fertility, influencing both ecosystem functioning and carbon sequestration potential.

Keywords


Soil Quality, Vegetation Restoration, Land Degradation Neutrality, Mixed Forest Plantations, Soil Nutrients.

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